MANY people understand how tough it is to become a practicing lawyer, but is it more difficult than boxing or learning to speak Arabic? One member of Cheshire's Swayne Johnson law team is actually qualified to answer that question.

Yasmin Bilsland, from Huntington, is a trainee solicitor at the firm, whose office is in Tattenhall. The 25-year-old learned to box at a club in Chester where her dad, Jim, was the coach and can speak and write Arabic after taking an evening course at Chester University as a break from studying for the Graduate Diploma in Law which set her on the road to a legal career.

Yasmin, who already had a BA in Criminology from Glyndwr University in Wrexham, admits her more unusual accomplishments were inspired by her first name and by her dad’s position as a coach at Heavy Hitters boxing club.

"When I was younger I think my mum hoped I’d do ballet but I was a daddy’s girl and went to the boxing with him.

"I had a few bouts and did pretty well but I haven’t boxed for a while so I won’t be turning up for work with a black eye.

"The Arabic was because of my first name which is of Middle Eastern origin and there were evening classes in the language at the university so I gave it a go and I can hold a conversation in it and read it – it’s written from right to left.

"You never know, it could come in handy sometime."

She decided whilst at university that she would like to pursue a career in law.

"I knew someone at Swayne Johnson and she suggested I apply because it was really good there and thankfully they offered me a position.

"I am helping with private client work and I really enjoy that because I’ve always enjoyed working with people and helping them and at Swayne Johnson everyone has been very helpful."

Yasmin is one of four young women embarking on careers with Swayne Johnson, one of the oldest law firms in the area with offices at Tattenhall, Ruthin, Denbigh, St Asaph and Llandudno.

It is also notable for the number of women it employs among a staff of over 50 from Head of Practice Sarah Noton down and for the breadth of its legal expertise.

As well as Yasmin they have recruited Bethan Hughes, from Carmel, and Alex Nash, from Greenfield, in the Denbigh office, and Naomi Turner, from Betws yn Rhos, at St Asaph.

Bethan, 22, who went to St Richard Gwyn School, in Flint, did her law degree at Liverpool John Moores University, before gaining her LPC and a combined Master’s degree at Chester University.

She is also a talented footballer, playing on the left wing or in midfield with Northop Hall Ladies in the North Wales Women’s Premier League.

Her final year at Liverpool coincided with the pandemic so she returned home and applied successfully to Swayne Johnson.

"I knew of them by reputation and I had enjoyed the Private Client work at university so I was pleased to join them as part of that team.

"The work is really varied and interesting because a lot of law courses are very focused on one area but in Private Client you are helping people at a whole range of ages and from different walks of life.

"Swayne Johnson also have such a range of experience within the different offices and there is so much collaboration that you get the benefit of working with so many people with so much expertise."

Alex Nash, 25, from Greenfield, a former pupil at Mold Alun School, went to University College London and graduated with a degree in archaeology after spending field trips in Greece and Uganda but decided law was more up her street.

She said: "I realised that pretty early on but it was good experience and the skills you need for history and science are really useful for me now.

"I worked as a lifeguard in Mold leisure centre and then did a Masters in Law at Chester, spending time with another law firm but I didn’t want to end up in a litigation department and saw there was an opportunity as a legal assistant at Swayne Johnson and it has worked out well.

"It’s a steep learning curve and it’s busy which I enjoy but I’m lucky to be with a colleague who has been really helpful and I am starting a training contract in September."

Naomi Turner, 26, from Betws yn Rhos, went to Ysgol Y Creuddyn and Ysgol Bryn Eilian, in Old Colwyn, graduated with a degree in Law and Criminology from Bangor University and joined as a legal assistant, beginning her training contract at the same time as Alex.

She has a background in volunteering with vulnerable people and said: "I’ve always had a passion for helping people and have worked from a young age in caring roles.

"As a student I was a carer in the community, working with elderly people and their families and was also supporting fellow students from all walks of life.

"At Swayne Johnson I’ve started to work with the Court of Protection team who help people who struggle to make decisions about their lives and that is something that really strikes a chord with me."

Swayne Johnson Managing Director Sarah Noton said: "We’re delighted to make four more high calibre appointments as we continue an expansion which has seen us grow from two offices to five in the last ten years.

"We know that within Swayne Johnson we have lawyers with a wealth of experience in all aspects of legal work and that makes this a very good environment for those who join us as trainees."

For more information on Swayne Johnson, visit: http://www.swaynejohnson.com/.